Istiqlal Mosque Prepares Accommodation for President During Ramadan
The Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque and Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar has announced that the mosque will prepare dedicated overnight accommodation for the president and vice president during Ramadan activities, beginning this year.
According to Nasaruddin, the provision of accommodation is intended to support the smooth running of worship and state events frequently centred at Istiqlal, particularly during key moments such as tarawih prayers, Nuzulul Quran, and the Eid al-Fitr takbir.
He explained that the facility is located within the mosque complex and designed to meet the basic needs of the head of state and vice president when they must attend a series of activities running late into the night or early morning.
"If there are activities running until night-time or approaching sahur, there naturally needs to be a suitable place to rest," said Nasaruddin at Istiqlal Mosque on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
He added that the accommodation also takes into account security considerations and the efficiency of presidential and vice-presidential mobility, given that Istiqlal frequently serves as the centre for national and international-scale religious activities during Ramadan.
Nevertheless, Nasaruddin stressed that the facility is not a form of luxury but rather part of the restructuring of Istiqlal's function as the state mosque. As the national mosque, Istiqlal regularly hosts official events involving state leaders and important guests.
With the accommodation available within the mosque grounds, it is hoped that the president and vice president will be able to participate more freely in the series of Ramadan worship and activities without being constrained by time and distance.
According to Nasaruddin, the provision of accommodation is intended to support the smooth running of worship and state events frequently centred at Istiqlal, particularly during key moments such as tarawih prayers, Nuzulul Quran, and the Eid al-Fitr takbir.
He explained that the facility is located within the mosque complex and designed to meet the basic needs of the head of state and vice president when they must attend a series of activities running late into the night or early morning.
"If there are activities running until night-time or approaching sahur, there naturally needs to be a suitable place to rest," said Nasaruddin at Istiqlal Mosque on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
He added that the accommodation also takes into account security considerations and the efficiency of presidential and vice-presidential mobility, given that Istiqlal frequently serves as the centre for national and international-scale religious activities during Ramadan.
Nevertheless, Nasaruddin stressed that the facility is not a form of luxury but rather part of the restructuring of Istiqlal's function as the state mosque. As the national mosque, Istiqlal regularly hosts official events involving state leaders and important guests.
With the accommodation available within the mosque grounds, it is hoped that the president and vice president will be able to participate more freely in the series of Ramadan worship and activities without being constrained by time and distance.